14-year-old hired to animate Lego scenes in 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'

14-year-old animator Preston Mutanga recreated the first trailer of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" with animated Legos and posted it online. The video caught the attention of the movie's filmmakers. NBC News' Gadi Schwartz talks to the animator, his parents and the filmmaker about the hiring story.
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#SpiderMan #PrestonMutanga #Animation

[@TheEnigmaProductions]

As a 33 year old animator I’m proud of this kid 🥲 we need more spotlights on animators

[@jones9309]

I hope you get your big break soon too. Keep it up 💪

[@DR.DisInfect]

Alright ol man you go

[@kufarimahdi9636]

Why you not there yet 😭😔 get offline and get to work 😂😂😂😂😂😂 frfr man don't give up and good luck 🤞🍀

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

YES!!!! ❤

[@stayingfocused1]

Proud of what it was trash horrible

[@beeley]

I love how supportive his parents are. Great work, Preston!

[@preciadoalex123]

$$$$

[@SwagSwagSenate]

As a 16 year old game dev who's been working hard since I was 13 and my parents never supported me and always hated me. I'm jealous

[@Tacodip420]

Yea took him out the cobalt mine to chase his dream

[@LiberalsRuinEverything.]

That’s usually how immigrant parents are.

[@MrsDuck356]

​@@SwagSwagSenatei love you

[@roses2361]

“Love your kid for who they are.” Preston’s genius starts from his parents’ unconditional love and support. What an amazing family. Brought tears to my eyes. And they built hardware for him?! A family of geniuses. But more than that, the love and support is what does it for me ❤

[@theideare]

So brilliant and beautiful in every way. Made my day.

[@StevenJones851]

Really beautiful and Awesome 😊❤

[@laserbeamlightning]

Can never underestimate the kids of immigrants. They rock!

[@eucloyt]

Nice comment, they didn't actually build the components of the PC, only chose them and put it together. Still impressive tho

[@StevenJones851]

@@eucloyt that's cool

[@Epic_C]

I'm surprised that the movie company didn't try and go and file a copyright claim or do a take down notice first before the actual director came across it. This is why genuine fan art exists, the movie companies don't listen to the fans.

[@atlsweet]

Gods Favor ❤

[@sampraz1990]

Imagine if it was Nintendo and not this guy. They woulda chopped the boys head off 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@zekejdavidson]

​@@sampraz1990😂😂😂 good point

[@jesmasa1]

So thankful they recruited instead of shutting him down.

[@CHIEF_420]

​@@atlsweet@Futura 💋 Religión es una mentira y una "scam." Necesitas evidencia para tener ideas correctas similar a ciencias y matemáticas.

[@sentaleuck8101]

This is such a feel-good story. Bravo to this young man and to folks who hired him. His parents rock, too. Best movie of the summer, hands down.

[@NA_49erFan]

Could you imagine if mainstream media primarily focused on more positive stories versus always leading with "shooting death, it may be you next, stay tuned!" Sorry, venting a lot today

[@sentaleuck8101]

@@NA_49erFan that’s okay! I get it. I felt the same way. This story made me so happy!

[@Subsandwich981]

@@NA_49erFan One is more of a common occurrence than the other, so it kind of makes sense imo

[@gutika113]

@@NA_49erFan Better way to solve that problem would be to begin lessening the amount of people shot to death, no? lol backwards America is always so entertaining "if we stop talking about it the problem goes away" haha

[@silkyrobinson5079]

His Parents built him a superior computer from scrap.....it sounds like no accident hes super smart! An Amazing family 💜

[@nuc]

From scratch* as in they bought the parts.

[@nuc]

From scratch* as in they bought the parts.

[@FundiWaStima]

Gotta have a great support system to be great

[@kendelaruelle]

Haha, “from scrap” hahaha, “from scratch” wow this guy! Someone has their knowledge about computers from 80’s and 90’s movies.

[@mvflp2218]

@@FundiWaStimanot always, there is instances where one makes something of him/herself with nothing but their own bootstraps. But for the most part, yes i ageee

[@darianbroadhead2863]

Passionate kid with supportive parents. Truly beautiful!

[@heroicsquirrel3195]

Notice how the parents just sit in silence and let him talk, they fully trust and support him and dont try to get any attention, great parenting and a smart kid

[@brenda9228]

*We can expect to read his name in future credits. He’s got emotional support from his parents and truly gifted.*

[@Aniexo_]

I am so proud of him! That’s why it’s so important to support children’s dreams ❤

[@user-Ados-amerika]

He's a damned Nigerian I guess they don't want to hire black people black people American citizens always hard looking foreigners

[@natnat8393]

Facts!

[@kijanajenkins2546]

Exactly. 🤝🏾🤎

[@bkschannel1823]

That mother's advice is so subtly profound. We try to mold our kids into the best version of a human in OUR opinion. We need to let them be who they are, and love them for it.

[@kwayneboy1524]

Which is freakishly similar to main message to across the Spiderverse

[@MohammadAli-sb7sm]

He made those scenes??? They were HILARIOUS! 3-5 minutes of shine and sure made good use of it. Amazing 🙌🏽

[@dontaviushaul442]

Facts, bro killed it😂

[@g.e131]

To be 14 and getting a job that you truly enjoy! Wow! Not very many people can say that! That's amazing! Congratulations young man! This is truly heartwarming news 😊

[@AGirlNamedVan]

I am more and more impressed with the youth of today. I'm turning 40 next year and I feel like a dinosaur. The kids are really streets ahead and so enterprising where tech is concerned. I love that for them!

[@daniellevin3056]

The real Col. Sanders was an entrepreneur who didn't become a professional chef until he was 40, didn't franchise Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was 62, and didn't become an icon until after he sold his company at 75. You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream. CS Lewis

[@jalanmcrae]

The newer generations have access to powerful tools that make complex tasks simpler. Even the programming languages today have so many libraries that make coding simpler. Don’t feel outdated, you’re probably way more intelligent than the average degenerate with a computer 😂

[@-Teague-]

​@@jalanmcraewow, how discriminative and hateful of you. Guess you're sensitive about feeling old?

[@minxxd]

@@jalanmcraewtf is your problem

[@montaedean2211]

@@-Teague- imagine that. They basically told them not feel sensitive about it, yet when you said the same thing and implied the statement was hateful you received just as many likes. Bizarre world we live in.

[@m.coleman]

Wow!!!!!!!! Way to go, Preston and parents! That's awesome!!!!!!! See, this is what happens when you support a child's dreams and encourage their imagination. Well done, everyone! 👏🏽

[@burpinbubs2112]

As long as their' imagination' isn't that they are not what they were born as

[@m.coleman]

@@burpinbubs2112 🙄 Get a life!

[@SwagSwagSenate]

if only my parents ever cared about me

[@m.coleman]

@@SwagSwagSenate 😔 I'm sorry to hear that-- unfortunately, parents/adults get things wrong. BUT, you matter-- you're smart, kind, and important. 🙃 There's a dream of yours out there waiting for you to achieve it! Go do it! You've got this!

[@triarb5790]

​@@burpinbubs2112 Grow up.

[@zainzaini4211]

He is the real Miles Morales

[@lllIIIIIlIlIIllll]

Bruh wow

[@Foreign501st]

Why, because he's black? Would he be Peter Parker if he was white?

[@starpotatoes768]

​@Foreign501st are you trying to make this Into something offensive? Yes it's because he's black and guess what Miles Morales is also black! What a coincidence!

[@kunis2299]

Man it would be so meta if did become the live action miles. The young man has a bright future ahead of him. Hopefully this budding partnership with Sony launches his career in the future.

[@Foreign501st]

@@starpotatoes768 Oh wow, look, another person who doesn't know how to answer a question, but instead takes offense to it. 🙄🤦‍♂️

[@psychoobst33]

I follow him on Twitter. He's unbelievably talented. He has posted different kinds of animations, not just LEGO - AND THEY ALL LOOK AMAZING.

[@skinni_the_P00hBear]

What's his @ ?

[@zoftigbeatnik]

This kid is really talented. Wish more kids were like him.

[@rayrayballer1]

Wish more kids were talented like him?

[@komaddog]

Alot are. Not everything hits the media.

[@ThuresaAdams-hv5eb]

IT IS...

[@Starfire10982]

There are plenty of kids who are.

[@LiberalsRuinEverything.]

His parents are immigrants, so I’m not surprised that he has a supportive background with morals and values. I knew he was an AA. Because our kids are shooting each other up at parties.

[@videohousejsq]

MY BOY HAS OFFICIALLY MADE THE NEWS!!!! I was subscribed to him months before he helped out with this movie, and just seeing LegoMe_TheOG grow to this height is incredible!!! Nothing but respect for him. 🔥

[@bluekel615]

Same, that kid's the goat!

[@epixminimotion6847]

Same I've been part of the community for a while and he's come so far 👍

[@The_2nd_Chann3l]

Same I usually watch his animations before the movie comes out 🎉

[@SirThilliomAnimations]

Same! I've been subbed since he had 5k! I was thrilled to hear that he got to animate in the movie!

[@arjunator2688]

Yeah I’ve known my boy since he had 50 subs on the old channel back when it was LeggoMyEggo.

[@nopjack7278]

Love this! What a phenomenal young 14 year old...shared his gift with the world. More good things to come in his life.

[@Ncholasbloom]

i hope so cuz animation has been doing very well in recent yrs

[@trevin1770]

I love LITERALLY EVERY part of this story. Young teenage boy gets noticed by SONY for his incredible ability to animate. Plus, his parents are quite supportive of this endeavor. I know this kid will have even more opportunities in the future. God bless him!

[@legome_theog]

🙏🙏

[@thegogreenteam7384]

replying because hopefully this comment can move up and more ppl can find the channel

[@johnmercuryfrom2009]

Very impressive. I'm 14 as well and this really pushes me to take advantage of my youth to develop and advance my skills for what I love and find passion in.

[@OneNamelessHero]

Such a mature thought! It's always amazing to be able to commit yourself to something you deeply enjoy, especially when you start from such a young age. Be careful to not overstrain yourself, passions have to bring you satisfaction even when you work hard towards them, and taking your time to cool down is as vital if you feel like it. Also sorry if advice was uncalled for lol. I just explode with joy upon seeing introspective youth, it makes me feel more hopeful about the futute! Best of luck with your pursuits!

[@miiguel_urrena]

Whatever happens in life don’t give up

[@RestorativeRenaissance]

I’m so glad his parents just let him be who he was and supported him. They are doing a great job as parents and he is hugely talented.

[@sparkychang7198]

He's amazing. His parents are awesome. It's hard raising kids. How do you shore up their weaknesses without undermining their strengths? I'm so happy for this family.

[@yafabulous4683]

I’m so happy for him!! Kids are the future innovators, let’s not under estimate them and hear them out in their dreams and visions ❤

[@jalanmcrae]

He’s not an average kid though. Kids who prove themselves deserve to be heard. If he was a degenerate, his parents wouldn’t support him and neither would Sony.

[@corrinvestors3303]

His parents gotta be so proud what a blessing

[@triarb5790]

What a mature, level headed 14 year old. He is going to be successful at whatever he chooses to do.

[@EOE808]

Soo proud of that young man and his parents! So genuine, so supportive. What a great story

[@SimbiAni]

the difference from having not only base talent & ambition, but also such a truly supportive family who encourages you & nurtures your skills AND provides the tech you need to work with your inspiration.. ❤ I always dreamed of a life like that, glad it's happening for others out there!

[@atlsweet]

At 14??? This is only the beginning! 🙌🏾

[@maddii34u]

This is amazing!!!! Support the art!!!! His parents are great for supporting him!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@yeah_right88]

The young man is clearly a prodigy.

[@Phintem1]

This kid is very talented at making Lego animations. He should be hired to animate the next Lego animation Sony makes.

[@Korbloxiangames]

I’m so much better than him

[@Incognito_720]

​@@Korbloxiangames I couldn't expect more from the guy named korbloxiangames 💀💀💀

[@Korbloxiangames]

@@Incognito_720 I was joking hahaha I’m a funny skibidi sigma

[@djknockinbeats5092]

Congratulations on the opportunity, protect yourself, and don't show em everything! They will steal your creativity.

[@teflondawn]

What an amazing kid… I hope they PAID him!

[@jennifercoleman6218]

Hes brilliant. He will have a great career ahead of him

[@RUESPEED1]

Preston Mutanga....Remember that name world. 👏👏🏼👏🏾💪🏿

[@lakshmisp6418]

"Love your kid for who they are". Best advice ever, Mom!

[@MrGA555]

Sony honestly gained everyone’s respect here

[@Trav81888]

Now those are two amazing parents who raised a child properly.

[@AngieCee1]

Wow! Great family all around, and I can't imagine how I would have felt at 14 doing that!!! Amazing!

[@brandonacosta184]

I like that kid his LEGO Spider-Man masterpiece looks beautiful

[@sarabsd.]

WHY IS HE SO PERFECT, I’M LITERALLY HIS AGE AND I DONT DO ANYTHING SPECIAL WITH MY LIFE

[@pikachuaa]

We will all succeed in our own way doesn't matter if it's getting famous we're all human beings he earned his handwork he's not special but he is a hard-working man with school as well

[@pikachuaa]

Your perfect as well 🎉

[@Gabreya]

He is an EXTREMELY TALENTED young man. Glad that his parents support him and his passion. I hope that he goes on to have a successful career in animation or any other AWESOME endeavors. 💜 And having seen ATSV twice, the LEGO sequence was one of my favorite scenes in the film. It was fun and hilarious. 😁

[@katgallardo2797]

So happy for this young man!! 👏 And good job parents for supporting him every step of the way. 🎥❤

[@BiyoStudios]

As 28 years old animation enthusiast 'm proud of this kid

[@Ghost741SC]

We're all proud of him, he's very talented 🤟

[@minairie3890]

Huge shout out to his parents for raising themselves an amazing young man!!! And kiddo, We are all very proud of you!

[@Bettyish]

I wish there were more stories like this. How proud did his parents look though?!

[@jokybones]

Imagine how many talents die bc of unsupportive parents💀

[@pupzDZN]

too many sadly

[@riot-van5986]

that lego scene was best part of the movie I wanted to see more of lego spider man but good job man u deserve it 👏

[@deerickgamer]

He gotta be the coolest kid in school

[@meowmeow9617]

What sucks for me is I could’ve been like him. I’m 16 and always loved animating since I was 9 and always wanted to get better and make more professional animations. I just never had the criteria needed to make them. For stop motions I had no good camera, no good mic, no good lighting, and nothing for set design. This sucked so I wanted to make blender cgi animations like he did, but I didn’t have a computer. I’m happy for him and all especially because I have been watching his videos since he had 50 subscribers and he really is someone that I look up to. I’ve gotten a lot more interests in other things, but of course I just never had the stuff to put those interests to good use. Everyone always calls me lazy for being on my phone all the time now and saying I’m addicted but I just have nothing better to do. I don’t understand why some people get to be so lucky with everything while I have nothing. Anyways sorry, I just wanted to vent a little so you can just ignore it 💀

[@brimmedhathoe4392]

Everyone has their unfair advantages unfortunately.

[@mementomori1553]

not reading allat

[@ayo123]

nah i feel you i used to do try to do lego stop motion too but i didnt have all the facilities. it doesn't mean that you can't start now if you wanted to, and it definitely doesnt mean you can't pursue other passions you have. you can work at 16 so youre at the best place possible. dont waste time on your phone you still have so much opportunities that you dont realise.

[@meowmeow9617]

@@ayo123 I can’t start now though. I’m not allowed to even have a KZbin channel so there’s no point in it. I’ve found other passions too, and of course I can’t pursue in them either

[@brimmedhathoe4392]

@@meowmeow9617 i'd recommend building a good relationship with your passions first. then, when learning and creating is as easy as breathing for you, you can try making your name online. doesn't mean the learning and hardships end there of course. just don't be too discouraged easily.

[@medusagorgon8432]

Wow! What a truly awesome thing! Parents are gold!🌟

[@courtnocase]

Super cool! Hope we see his name in credits real soon ❤

[@full---movie]

You are more likely to see him in a mugshot in 8-10 years.

[@cassandraTPWK]

​@@full---movieWOW that's messed up and pathetic to say. Shame on you for that.

[@theboogie1460]

@@full---moviewooooooooowww

[@Cece-dad17]

@@full---moviegobshite, go away.

[@ZolAkechi]

@@full---movieprobably gonna see you in an fbi list.

[@haroonp8842]

He really said "Nah ima do my own thing"

[@trusno7751]

Blessings and Abundance to that kid..Sending nothing but perpetual success, to him & his animation future!🕷🕸

[@Awesome3D]

He is such an inspiration! This goes to show how much talent people can have at such a young age!

[@robertsgamingtime745]

HE IS THE REAL LIFE MILES MORALES

[@octoberTFB]

Only at age 14, amazing. Can't quite think of the processes they had to tediously animate faces and other visual effect stuff. Once met a arrogant kid who failed to animate models, specifically objects, and thought it was impossible. I was trying to help, thought they probably oddly didn't know how to rig models, and they responded in an insufferable manner. So the guy in the video is correct about not listening to what people say can or cannot be done.

[@Rantsack]

I’m so happy for him and happy that his parents allowed him to do what he wants without thinking twice to stop him to do something they want him to be.

[@Billbranch-ps1to]

Way to go!! Congrats lil bro!!

[@mr.burger9149]

As somebody who is currently learning animation at 17, this kid really nailed it. He definitely has a huge future ahead of him!

[@masterreece1098]

as another kid who loves animating, its awesome he was given the opportunity to do that

[@valenciaphillips1684]

This is noteworthy! I’m so proud of him and glad his parents are so supportive! This is what we need to see more of!

[@angelisa368]

Omg! I love this!!! What a delightful young man and such lovely, loving parents!! More stories like this please!❤❤❤

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

SUPER proud of this kid!!!

[@THEFUNSOCIETY54]

I never thought the news would talk about spider man across the spider verse even though it’s one of the best animated films ever

[@trohnb8104]

WOW! 😮❤ I’m glad his talent didn’t go unnoticed.

[@44axum90]

Great inspiration for my son. Beautiful family.

[@throwitouttheairlock9556]

Man flexed his graphics card

[@rayrayballer1]

Do i need a graphics card for animation?

[@throwitouttheairlock9556]

@@rayrayballer1 yes, animation is very GPU intensive because of how rendering is more a process of crunching a LOT of graphical numbers very fast, and gpus are better at that than cpus

[@rayrayballer1]

@@throwitouttheairlock9556 well i got a lenovo laptop with CPU-Intel i7-1355U with intergrated Gpu will that work?

[@SPREET5454]

Hope he gets paid well and forms some great connections to change his life forever. Hopefully we see more of his work soon! He animated easily one of the best scenes!

[@mwanimation520]

As a animator this is awesome

[@cookiechaser126]

What an inspieation. Really i couldnt agree more when he said he realized he was capable of more then he thought he was. This is true no matter your age. I know, it sounds cliche, but you are capable of following and fulfilling your dreams. If you really love animation and doing it for fun, doing it for a career will make it feel a lot less like work. He's going to have a nice ride on this wave.

[@LottyDotty05]

Congratulations!!! I'm so proud of him. I will remember his name and can't wait to his work in the future!!

[@panskipants]

The mom: "Love your kid for who they are."

[@trishacollymore4397]

I love how positive this is! This is the kind of news I want to see everyday. This is also why students needs creative outlets

[@3llevate]

I just watched it yesterday and that scene go such a good laugh from the audience! I can't believe this kid made that, it was awesome!

[@Julie-jl2kk]

his parents sitting with him at the interview being so proud of him is so cute and wholesome

[@StarWarsElseworlds]

Couldn't have happened to a better person, so cool!

[@jenger83]

Kids has a bright future as a artist.

[@Admixbeatbox]

I’m happy for the kid and i think animators deserve more recognition and also this kid has a Bright future

[@erindonahue4255]

That's awesome. He's clearly talented and so well spoken and mature for a 14 year old! Great job parents for loving, encouraging and supporting your child. He has a bright future ahead of him.

[@mundane.]

Such an inspiration! Good on his parents for supporting him :)

[@lonewolfwarrior2143]

Good for him! That’s amazing!

[@tburt6551]

I hope this video reaches those who think that you are too young or old to pursue your dreams; truely inspirational!

[@lindaalaureano]

Great supportive parents to help their kid accomplish and develop his creativity. He will go far because of their encouragement.

[@DocMartn253]

This is clearly not getting the upvotes that it deserves. This kid used his talents online and got the attention of a movie studios who gave him a job. All it is accomplishments before he's even old enough to legally drive in the United States, under parent supervision. That is beyond impressive

[@michaeljoyner6175]

Great work!!! This is amazing!!!

[@feelincrispy7053]

You can tell just by the way the kid speaks that he has high intelligence . Good on the parents. It’s funny what a mum and dad family unit will do to a kids future

[@thezu9250]

Why do you guys constantly have to have backhanded compliments when it comes to Blck people.? Stop lecturing them on family units every time one of them is successful.

[@thegodzillafandomsrookie5514]

​@@thezu9250not everything is racist, gramps

[@Salik96]

​@@thezu9250 Why are you bringing race to this?

[@MxMstr71]

That's the kind of story we need right now.

[@arjunator2688]

I’ve known Preston on KZbin since his old channel when he had 50 subscribers. He always has potential. It’s crazy tho how far he’s come. I’m extremely proud of him and happy to be part of the journey.

[@welllookylooky5844]

This is so cool! I love this for him. Great resume builder and an opportunity of a lifetime 🥰

[@FuglyStick]

It's truly amazing what young people are capable of with parents that nurture their potential. Parenting isn't shelter, food, and a bunch of rules; that's owning a pet. The reason there are so many dissatisfied, unhappy adults is because their parents snuffed out their potential at a young age.

[@brimmedhathoe4392]

It's also cool how the kids been more driven to draw more too. On twitter, his sketches and studies look so so fun.

[@TotesMAGoats69]

Glad his parents stuck together to raise that smart kid

[@Ixzion]

Well done, young brotha!

[@chansamone]

I love it. When you pursue your passions with hard work.

[@WaveMurray]

Great parents here supporting their son 1000% in what he’s passionate about.

[@davidhowarth7186]

@NBCNews share his KZbin account and link his page!! Give this young man his WELL DESERVED credit!!